The virus was hard to detect, as only thirty-seven percent of the species that contracted the virus in the ten thousand years preceding 2154 identified the pathogen. Amongst its symptoms were passing out, coughing, vomiting, physical pain, sweating, and apparently mental confusion. Due to the high rate at which the pathogen reproduced, death came within hours. The silicon matrix of the pathogen could be disrupted by a specific frequency of radiation, but the dosage would be lethal for Humans. Only seven species discovered this in the ten-thousand-year period, and none in sufficient time to save themselves.

The reaction of visiting crews to the virus had been studied by Organian observers for ten thousand years, though this fact had gone unnoticed by ninety-eight percent of the species. The rationality displayed by a species while dealing with the virus was evaluated and treated as a litmus test to find out if first contact should be made.